This is the last of a series of comprehensive workshops in which we will construct a hybrid natural building using many site-sourced materials and permaculture principles. This workshop will focus on inexpensive, efficient ways to heat space and water that you can construct yourself. Learn the essential points to clean combustion. Why Batch Heaters? Differences and similarities between Batch Rocket Mass Heaters and classic, J-tube Rocket Mass Heaters. Learn how thermal mass improves heating and how, with the bell system, thermal mass can be utilized flexibly…

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn natural building from leading experts at one of Japan’s premier Permaculture education sites. In this course you will learn a wide range of natural wall building techniques including Cob, Straw Bale, Light Straw Clay, Light Rice Husk Lime, Wattle-and-Daub, Clay Wattle, and Earthbag foundations.  Daily hands-on building practice on actual buildings in progress. Lectures cover testing clay soils, wall system selection, materials testing, passive solar design, composting toilets, and more. Language:  English with Japanese…

This is a unique opportunity to learn traditional Japanese plastering and contemporary earth and lime finishes at one of Japan’s premier Permaculture sites. An intensive training including history, plastering procedures, materials and tools, with an emphasis on plastering fundamentals. Techniques include: Shikkui (lime, hemp, seaweed glue) Nami-Otsu (colored clay, lime and hemp) Kirikaeshi (fine clay, sand and straw) Nakanuri (earthen brown coat) Arakabe (clay/chopped straw) Takekomai (traditional Japanese bamboo lattice) Language: English and Japanese Participation Fee: 75,000JPY (if paid by June 1 or…

About The Workshop This six-day workshop will cover considerations on picking a house site including passive solar design, building a rubble trench and natural rock and lime mortar foundation, wattle and daub wall construction, building with cob, earthbag construction, natural, earthen plasters, and ways to heat your home in a sustainable and natural way.  During the workshop, we will build a rubble trench and rock foundation for a new structure. We will also build wattle and daub walls for a communal center currently…

This is the most comprehensive workshop you can find. Decades of teaching on four different continents has helped us design this rich learning experience,  giving students the tools they need to become confident earthen builders. Earth is the mother of all building materials. For millennia, and all over the world, people have used earth to build beautiful, simple, efficient and inexpensive homes. It’s plentiful, ecological and non-toxic. Plus, it can’t burn, won’t rot and is much simpler to build with than conventional…